A few National Athletics Federations have already employed a National SDO. Now we have OAA coming up with the same idea, in fact actually suggesting TWO appointments to be made, at least for a "Pilot Scheme" for a year.
Here in Kiribati, it has been discussed before, and now we are actually checking the funding sources and thinking about "Job Descriptions and Responsibilities". For sure we have a need as part or our Development Plan to have facilities, a coach, and a contact group of (at least) OBAS/OTOS people on EVERY OUTER ISLAND. Just in the Gilbert Group we have 16 islands which are fairly near each other but travel costs money, as does staying anywhere and providing books and equipment supplies. For the grass roots, there are Primary Schools, Youth groups, Peace Corps volunteers, and Junior Secondary Schools (JSS) on every island. These must be our starting points. However, the key need long-term is how to KEEP these athletes when they have left school and attract them to stay with Athletics as coaches, officials amd administrators. That way lies CONTINUITY !!
So where does an SDO fit in ?
Our concept of appointing (and paying) a local SDO is that they will know the culture and BE ABLE TO COMMUNICATE EASILY on the outer islands, which is where most development is needed at the moment. The main problem is how to fund the day-to-day functioning of such a person, over and above the salary. To fulfil our purpose, they would need to be travelling much of the time but how do we pay for this ?
The function for us of a Regional SDO (or two) would be as a consultant or adviser, only staying for a week or so and then moving on elsewhere in the sub-region.
We need to see both systems in operation for a while (pilot for a year) to see how they could fit together. Money-wise, with a limited (and already committed) budget, we would find difficulty in supporting both projects this year. Our priority would be the local SDO.
Last Modified on 25/04/2006 14:18
